Born in Olyphant, Pa., on April 3, 1931, he was the son of the late Harry and Julia Yasum Wharton. He lived in Stamford, Conn., with his wife before relocating to Chester, Vt.

Immediately after high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. Everyone who knew Joe knew he was a die-hard Red Sox fan. He was a carpenter until he retired and was known to his immediate family as “Pop.” He enjoyed camping, traveling and living in Vermont.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jane; his four children, Deborah Jankura (James) of Milford, Conn., Joseph Wharton Jr. (Paula) of Fort Wayne, Ind., Karen Pavlik (David) of Bridgeport, Conn., and Christopher Wharton (Stephanie) of Ocala, Fla.; five grandchildren, Kevin Carpenter, Joseph Wharton, Stephen Pavlik, Jonathan Wharton and Elizabeth Pavlik; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Harry Wharton, and his sister, Barbara McCabe; and is survived by two sisters, Anna Masko of Olyphant, Pa., and Marion Vavaroutsos of Wethersfield, Conn.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 9, 2013, at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Main Street, Chester, Vt. Celebrant will be the The Rev. Fr. James E. Zuccaro, pastor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.